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Adviser to Home Affairs Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury directed the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) to strengthen its drive to arrest "godfathers" during its ongoing joint operation.

"Not only the carriers but also the top godfathers involved in illegal drug trading should be arrested. The ongoing joint operation should be strengthened and the daily progress reports (regarding the drive) should be provided," said the adviser.

The performance of the department will be evaluated based on the success in this regard, the adviser said.

Jahangir gave the directive today at a view exchange meeting with senior officials of the DNC office at Segunbagicha.

Addressing DNC officials, Jahangir said the DNC officials have uniforms but no weapons.

"Therefore, it is necessary to provide DNC officials firearms for the sake of successful operation. Necessary steps will be taken in this regard," he said.

According to sources, the DNC officials have been demanding firearms for over the last couple of years to conduct operations, but they did not get the approval due to opposition from the law enforcers, especially from police earlier.

The home adviser during today's meeting further asked the DNC officials to conduct operations with police in the areas where there is a possibility of attacks.

Jahangir Alam said that the success of the government will not come if corruption is not curbed.

He urged the officials and employees of the DNC to stay away from bribery and corruption.

The adviser said drugs bring dire consequences for the family, society, and the state by destroying future generations. "Therefore, the officials and employees of the department will have to work sincerely to eradicate drugs by changing their mentality. Drugs must be controlled anyway," he added.

Senior Secretary of the Security Services Division of the Home Ministry Md Mashiur Rahman and Director General (Grade-1) of the DNC Khandaker Mostafizur Rahman were present at the view exchange meeting, among others.

After the meeting DG Khandaker Mostafizur told The Daily Star that the government started a joint drive on September 4 comprising the members of the armed forces, BGB, Coast Guard, police, Rab, and Ansar, across the country.

But an anti-narcotic drive began on September 6 with a force comprising Police, BGB, DNC and coast guards, he said.